faculty focus
Schoolgirls who want to pursue a career in engineering need to keep up their science studies in years 11 and 12, says a successful graduate.
Forget the stereotypes. Women are an increasing force in the university engineering ranks across Australia.
They are still outnumbered almost 10 to one by their male counterparts but the winds of change are blowing.
“ There is an increasing recognition that women have been under-represented in the engineering workforce,” said Griffith University pro vice-chancellor Professor Debra Henly, who heads the university’ s Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology Group.
“ Engineering is not always about dirty overalls and work boots. Many engineers are employed in project planning and management roles and work in corporate environments.”
Devon Halligan is one such woman creating her own pathway.
She recently returned home to the Gold Coast as a world and club champion from the 2012 World Surf Life Saving Championships in Adelaide. The 19-yearold engineering student is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in both her sporting and engineering careers.
“ I really enjoy a challenge and love learning, so I find the courses and the experiments we get to work on in electronics and mechanics really interesting,” Halligan said.
“ For me it is biomechanics and the study of electronics, movement analysis and physics.”
For Halligan, engineering was a natural choice having always been good at maths and physics through high school, but she is also aware that she is in a minority.
“ Yes, that’ s definitely true of my classes, but I don’ t have any problem with that. I have spent so much of my life around surf clubs which are largely dominated by males,” she said.
“ I look at it positively as an opportunity to prove myself in a challenging field. It’ s probably because I am so competitive in everything that I do. My goal is always to get the best results I can and I don’ t mind competing with the guys to achieve that.”
Sarah Marsanich, a 23-year-old geotechnical engineer, graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Engineering( Civil) in 2010, earning a university medal in the process. She also secured a graduate position with AECOM, a global company providing professional, technical and management support services in areas including transport, the environment, energy, water and government.
Through AECOM, Marsanich is working with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and has the challenging task of rebuilding roads in the state’ s south-east following the devastating 2010-2011 floods.
“ The floods brought terrible heartbreak to the region, and it also caused extensive damage to our road networks,” she said.
“ Not only are we repairing the road network, but we are also learning a lot about the impact of heavy rainfall in certain geological settings so we can build safer and more enduring infrastructure for the future.”
Marsanich started her tertiary studies in Sydney but later moved to the Gold Coast, where she found a world of difference at Griffith University, which started its engineering school in 2006. It now
Devon Halligan has more than 1000 students and will be expanding its course offerings even further this year.
“ The lecturers and support staff genuinely care about your success,” Marsanich said.
Professor Henly said:“ Griffith University has a study program which supports women in engineering and all of our graduates are highly sought after.”
Now at the start of what promises to be a long and successful career, Marsanich already has sound advice for others wanting to pursue a similar career path.
“ I would urge students, especially young women, to continue their science studies into years 11 and 12,” she said.
“ To participate in today’ s society you need a level of understanding about the world and modern technology that you can only get through knowledge of science.
“ As a bonus, science allows for limitless career opportunities, and I would recommend the field of engineering where you get to do challenging and rewarding work that can really influence the future of the world we live in.” ■
www. campusreview. com. au February 2013 | 27